Man sexually assaults NSW schoolies teen

A teenager celebrating schoolies week has been sexually assaulted on a beach near Byron Bay on the NSW far north coast, police say.

The assault took place about 9pm (AEDT) on Sunday after a man approached the 18-year-old while she was walking along Belongil Beach.

Police say the woman was pushed to the ground and sexually assaulted.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Wilkins, the Tweed/Byron local area commander, said the incident highlighted the need for young people to stay with their friends during schoolies.

"This is a terrible incident and, while we don't want to speculate on the circumstances, we really need to stress the importance of enjoying themselves while being sensible and responsible," Det Supt Wilkins said in a statement.

"Stay with your friends and always look out for each other."

The woman was treated in hospital and detectives have established a crime scene at the beach as they try to find her attacker.

The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his late teens and with blond hair.

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